This Month in
Morrisson-Reeves Library History
August
On
August 22, three weeks after the Morrisson Library opened, librarian Jesse
Brown notified the board that he had been appointed Superintendent of Public
Schools which would “prevent his giving personal attention to the
Library after Sept 5th.” Consequently, the board hired Mrs. Sarah
Wrigley as the librarian. Mrs. Wrigley had been involved in helping to set
up the library, so was familiar with the collection and building. She would
remain the librarian for the next 39 years, retiring in 1903.
On
August 25, the new Boys' and Girls' Room opened on the third floor of the
library. The first Boys' and Girls' Room, opened in December
1900, had been located on the lower level, but it soon became apparent
that it tended to be too cold and damp in the basement. The room across
the east side of the third floor had served as an art gallery for about
a year, but it was determined that a room for children was more important.
In 1948 the Boys' and Girls' Room moved back to the basement, but this was
after extensive renovation and a different heating system had been in place.
(Click to enlarge) |
President of the Library Board, Clarence Brown, announced on July 20 that Mrs. Bernhardt was retiring after 42 years as librarian. Mrs. Harriet Bard, librarian of the Hagerstown Library and graduate of the librarian school of the University of Michigan, was named as her successor. Mrs. Bernhardt would continue serving as secretary of the Library Board. |  |
The Parks and Playgrounds bookmobile started a new program which took children who had library cards from their playground areas to the library for a tour. "This week when the bookmoble makes its regular stop at the playgrounds, the children sho have library cards will be taken to the library. They will be shown around the children's room and will be taught how to check out the books thaty they want to read," said Mrs. Maxine Potter. library staff member on the bookmobile. "We want the children to know they are welcome at the library, and we want them to know how to use it when school time comes."